If you have a Social Security Disability hearing coming up, it’s normal to feel nervous. At the Krebs Law Firm in Springfield, Missouri, we help our clients prepare so they know what to expect and how to succeed—no matter the hearing format.
Three Ways Your Social Security Disability Hearing Can Happen
Social Security uses three formats. The rules and topics are the same in each one.
- Telephone hearing
- Social Security calls you and your attorney.
- You answer questions by phone, just like a normal call.
- Online video hearing (Microsoft Teams)
- You click a link, join a secure web portal, and see the judge and your attorney on screen.
- It works much like video visits with your doctor or family.
- In-person hearing
- You and your attorney go to the hearing office.
- You sit in a room with the judge and give your testimony.
Bottom line: Each format covers the same material. The difference is how you connect.
Who’s in the Room (or on the Line)
- You (the claimant): You explain why your medical problems keep you from working.
- Your attorney (the Krebs Law Firm, Springfield MO): Protects your rights and presents your case through your testimony and legal argument.
- Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): Asks questions, reviews your medical records, and decides your case.
- Vocational Expert (VE): A neutral expert who explains how certain limits (like lifting, standing, focusing) affect jobs in the national economy. They do not decide your case.
- Hearing reporter/monitor: Records everything that’s said so there’s an accurate record, especially if there’s an appeal.
What the Vocational Expert Actually Does
Many Springfield clients ask, “Does the Vocational Expert decide if I’m disabled?” No.
The Vocational Expert is only a witness. The judge makes the final decision.
The Vocational Expert answers questions like:
- How many days can a worker miss and still keep a job?
- How slow can a person work before production is too low?
- How much lifting, sitting, standing, or walking do certain jobs require?
- How much “time on task” is needed to stay employed?
This helps the judge understand whether any jobs exist for someone with your limits.
What the Judge Is Looking For
Before your hearing, most judges spend hours reviewing your file—medical records, forms, doctor notes, and earlier decisions.
At the hearing, the judge wants to hear your story in your own words:
- What are your symptoms (pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, anxiety)?
- What are your limitations (how long you can sit/stand, how much you can lift, how often you need to lie down, how well you can focus)?
This helps the judge decide your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)—what you can and cannot do at work.
Your Attorney’s Role (and Yours)
Your lawyer cannot be a witness, but we guide your testimony so the judge clearly hears why you can’t work.
We’ll ask simple questions—some yes/no, some open-ended—so your real-life limits come through.
Your job:
- Be honest and clear.
- Don’t guess. If you don’t know or don’t remember, say so.
- If you didn’t hear or don’t understand a question, ask for it to be repeated.
- Focus on what you can’t do and how often problems happen (daily, weekly, how long they last).
Step-by-Step: What the Process Looks Like
Before the hearing
- Telephone: Answer calls from unknown numbers around your hearing time.
- Video (Teams): Use the link Social Security emails you. Join 5–10 minutes early to check audio/video.
- In-person: Arrive 10–15 minutes early at the address on your Notice of Hearing. Bring your photo ID and any required documents.
During the hearing
- The judge introduces everyone and explains the process.
- The judge and/or your attorney confirms what’s in your file and whether anything is still pending.
- Your testimony: You explain your symptoms and limits.
- Vocational expert questions: The judge and attorney ask the Vocational Expert about jobs and tolerances (absences, off-task time, lifting, etc.).
- The hearing ends.
After the hearing
- You won’t get a decision that day. Many decisions arrive in about 1–2 months (sometimes sooner or later).
Simple Tips to Help You Testify Well
- Tell the truth. Judges value honesty more than perfect answers.
- Use everyday examples. Talk about chores, shopping, church, kids’ events—real tasks that show your limits.
- Be specific. “I can stand 10 minutes” is stronger than “I can’t stand long.”
- Stay calm. If you’re confused, ask for the question in different words.
- Be consistent with what you’ve told your doctors and Social Security on forms.
Springfield, MO Focus: Local Help, Clear Guidance
As a Springfield MO Social Security Disability law firm, we prepare clients across the Ozarks for phone, video, and in-person hearings.
We’ll review your file together, practice common questions, and make sure you know exactly what to expect on hearing day.
Quick FAQs for Springfield Disability Hearings
Do I have to choose phone, video, or in-person?
Social Security offers options. We’ll help you pick the format that fits your situation.
Will I speak to the judge directly?
Yes. Either the judge or your attorney will ask most of the questions, and you’ll answer in your own words.
Does the vocational expert work for Social Security?
No. The Vocational Expert is an independent expert who provides job information. The judge decides your case.
How long until I get a decision?
Many clients hear back in 1–2 months, though times can vary.
What if I’m denied on my application or reconsideration?
Call us right away. You may have appeal rights with strict deadlines.
Need Help With Your Hearing? Call a Springfield MO Disability Lawyer.
If your Social Security Disability hearing is coming up—by phone, video, or in person—the Krebs Law Firm is ready to help you prepare and present your best case.
At the Krebs Law Firm, we’re dedicated to helping you secure the disability benefits you deserve. With extensive experience in Social Security Disability law, we understand the intricacies of the disability hearing process and are here to support you every step of the way.
At the Krebs Law Firm, we fight as hard as we can to help you get the disability coverage you deserve. Call our Springfield office today for a free consultation at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at (800) 345-0535.
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The Krebs Law Firm provides free consultations for Social Security Disability claimants, and we don’t get paid unless we win you the compensation you deserve. Set up your appointment with us without delay. You can reach our Springfield office at 417-883-5886, our Columbia office at (573) 886-8976 or toll free at 800-345-0535.
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